Chapter 61: Rainy season- cold (2)

The warm morning sun filtered through my window as I slowly woke up, my head still foggy, my body heavy with fatigue. But I felt… slightly better than before.

“…?” I stumbled out of bed. I needed to take my medicine… and then, I noticed a small note on my desk. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and reached for it.

Rina,
Rest a bit longer, and make sure you take your medicine tonight.
I hope you feel better tomorrow.

Yukikawa Aya

Aya’s handwriting, neat and precise. “…Aya,” I whispered, closing my eyes and clutching the note. She must have gone to school already. Probably left before the end of lunch break. That was good. I didn’t want her to miss class because of me. My head swam as I stood up, but it wasn’t too bad.

“Medicine…” I took the cold medicine from the drawer, where my mother had left it, and poured myself a glass of water, the bitter taste familiar and unpleasant. “Ugh, so bitter…” But I had to get better.

‘Will I be able to go to school tomorrow…?’ I touched my forehead. I still felt a little warm. My body felt sluggish, and the water I’d just drunk did little to quench my thirst. “Ugh… what if I start seeing things…?” I’d heard that could happen with a high fever. Had I been hallucinating earlier, the intense heat… or was it…

‘…Because of Aya…?’ I unconsciously touched the promise ring on my left ring finger, still warm from my body heat. The familiar touch brought back the memory of sharing the umbrella with her, her hand in mine…

“Rina, are you awake?” My mother’s voice called out from the kitchen, and I turned to see her standing in the doorway.

“Mom.”

“Did you take your medicine?”

“Yeah, just now.”

She smiled gently, walking over and placing her hand on my forehead. “You’re still a little warm. But it’s gone down a bit.”

“Yeah… I feel a little better.”

She opened the cupboard, searching for something, then returned with a warm, damp cloth and gently wiped my forehead and neck.

“Did someone come by?” she asked, and I flinched. Aya’s visit must have disturbed the usual order of things in the kitchen. My mother smiled, watching me.

“A friend?”

“Ah… yes.”

She smiled, her gaze warm and understanding. “You have good friends.”

“…Yeah.” Her words made my chest ache. Good friends…

‘Friends…’ I looked at the note again, the small, neat handwriting suddenly so clear, so… intimate. ‘It’s… more than that…’ But I didn’t say anything. It was still difficult to talk about a same-s*x relationship, especially with my mother.

“Go back to bed and get some more rest.”

“Okay…” She helped me back to bed, my body still heavy and sluggish, like a damp sponge. “Rest. I’ll make dinner.”

“…Thanks, Mom.”

As soon as she left, I pulled the covers over me and lifted my left hand, the blue sapphire on the promise ring shimmering in the light. “…Aya,” I whispered, her name a soft sigh on my lips.

Aya’s touch, her gaze, the way she’d gently placed her hand on my forehead… the memories, so vivid, made my heart race. Was it the fever, or… something else?

“Ugh, stop thinking about her…!” I buried my face in my pillow, trying to fall asleep, but the lingering sensation of Aya’s hand stroking my hair… I tossed and turned, then finally drifted off.

****

A clear, rainless morning. The walk to school, after two days of absence, felt strangely long and unfamiliar.

My fever had subsided, but my body still felt heavy, sluggish. I wasn’t fully recovered, but I couldn’t stay home any longer.

I hadn’t walked to school with Aya. I was still moving slowly, and I hadn’t wanted to burden her, so I’d left early without texting her. And as I arrived at the classroom, the early birds greeted me with concerned looks.

“Rina, are you okay? Is your cold gone?”

“You were absent yesterday too. Don’t push yourself.”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied with a weak smile, then sat down, my gaze unfocused, and as I opened my bag to take out my textbooks…

“…Rina,” a familiar voice called out, and I looked up to see Aya standing beside me.

When had she arrived? Her blue eyes, usually so calm, were filled with… concern? “…Why are you here so early?” she asked, her tone implying, ‘Are you sure you’re okay? You shouldn’t be pushing yourself.’

I smiled and nodded. “I’m fine.”

Aya, looking slightly apologetic, sat down quietly. ‘I should be the one apologizing…’

She seemed worried about me, her gaze constantly checking on me.

Class started. I’d only been absent for two days, but it felt like I’d missed a lot.

After the first class, I slowly stood up. It was my week for classroom duty…

“…” But someone was already cleaning the classroom. Nishimura, my fellow classmate on duty.

Right. We rotated every week, two students at a time, and since I’d been absent for two days, he must have done everything himself. I felt a pang of guilt, watching him work, then decided I should help. As I walked towards him, he looked up.

“Kurosawa?”

“Nishimura, I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay, go back and rest. You should be resting if you’re sick,” he said, his expression as calm and gentle as always. ‘He’s popular for a reason…’ In the novel, he was the protagonist’s best friend.

I forced a smile. “…Thank you. But this is… our shared responsibility.” I reached out to help, but he shook his head.

“It’s okay. You should rest. I can handle it.”

And with his words, a wave of dizziness washed over me. “…Huh?” I stumbled back, clutching my forehead, the world spinning.

“Are you okay?” Nishimura asked, his voice laced with concern, stepping towards me, but I quickly waved him away.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Just… a little dizzy.”

“Kurosawa, you should rest if you’re not feeling well.”

“Yeah, you don’t look so good,” other classmates chimed in. Did I look that bad?

But eventually, I relented and returned to my seat, my head resting on my desk as I tried to catch my breath. ‘Maybe I’ve been resting for too long… my body’s not used to being at school…’

As I sat there, trying to steady my breathing, a voice called out. “Rina.”

Aya was looking at me, her gaze sharper, more intense than usual. “Should we go to the infirmary?”

“…I’m fine,” I replied instinctively. ‘It’s not that bad…’

But Aya’s expression remained unchanged, her eyes scrutinizing me. “Are you sure?”

Her question, and her gaze, made my heart flutter. I nodded and opened my textbook, trying to act normal. “Yeah, I should attend class. It’s midterm season…”

Aya watched me for a moment, then slowly turned away. The bell rang, signaling the end of break time, and class resumed.

****

I somehow managed to get through the morning classes. My body felt heavy, but focusing on the lessons helped. Aya kept glancing at me, as if about to ask if I was okay, but each time I said I was fine, she relented.

But… by lunchtime, exhaustion hit me like a wave, the world tilting slightly.

“Aya-ring, where should we eat?”

“Hmm… the usual place?” Aya and I nodded at Mizuki’s suggestion. While Takamari Academy had several cafeterias, we usually ate at the regular cafeteria, since Aya didn’t like overly extravagant meals.

I picked up my usual omurice, and we sat at our usual table by the window. Mizuki, as always, dug in enthusiastically, and Aya also started eating quietly. But I… had no appetite. My body still felt heavy, and the food… it tasted like paper.

‘…’ This was strange. I wasn’t exactly full, but I didn’t feel like eating.

“Rina, are you okay?” a soft voice asked, and I looked up to see Aya’s concerned blue eyes.

“Yeah… I’m fine, really…” I replied automatically, but Aya, who had been observing me all morning, didn’t seem convinced.

“Rina-ring~ don’t tell me you lost your appetite because of your cold~?” Mizuki teased, but…

“…” Aya’s gaze was serious, her eyes searching mine, a quiet intensity that made me feel even weaker.

I managed to eat half my omurice, but I couldn’t eat any more. Mizuki teased, “Rina-ring, you’ll be fined for wasting food~”, but Aya just watched me silently.

As we were leaving the cafeteria, after returning our trays…

‘…Huh?’ The world tilted, and I stumbled.

“—!” Just as I was about to fall, a warm hand caught my arm.

“Rina,” Aya said, steadying me. “Are you okay?”

I tried to answer, but she was too close, her warmth radiating through the thin fabric of our uniforms, her breath warm against my cheek.

‘Is my fever rising again, or is it just lingering…?’ My mind was a confused jumble. Aya’s hand tightened on my arm as she placed her forehead against mine, her breath ghosting over my skin, and my face burned. Aya… so close…

“…You’re still warm,” she murmured, her voice strangely quiet, and I tried to say, “I’m fine,” but…

“Don’t lie.” Her voice was firm, unwavering, her blue eyes holding mine.

“Let’s go to the infirmary.”

“W-What?!”

“Now.” She was already pulling me along, her grip firm, and I sighed, nodding weakly.

‘I should have just gone in the first place…’

And so, with Aya’s support, I headed towards the infirmary.